John Arnold

A funeral Mass for John Arnold, 93, of Richardton, will be 9:30 a. m. , Monday, November 7, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton, with Father Thomas Wordekemper, OSB celebrating. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation for John will be from 3:00 p. m. to 5:00 p. m. , Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil service being held at 4:00 p. m. John passed away Wednesday, November 2, 2016 at St. Luke’s Home in Dickinson. John George Arnold was born on September 6, 1923, to Peter and Magdalena (Wehner) Arnold at the family farm northwest of Gladstone. He attended Gladstone Elementary and High School. His mother died in 1930 when he was only seven years old and his father then married Margaret Pfeiffer. John joined the United States military at a young age and saw action as an army private in Company G of the 317 Infantry Battalion of the 80th Infantry Division (also called the Blue Ridge Division) of the Third American Army in Europe during World War II. He was later transferred to the 1st Division of the Third Army and was a recipient of the Bronze Star. After returning home from overseas, John worked in the Twin Cities where he and his brothers opened the Arnold Brothers’ Service Station. In 1949 he met Dorothy Kilzer on a blind date. John and Dorothy continued their friendship. After a long distance courtship, John and Dorothy were united in marriage on November 14, 1950, at St. Stephen’s Church, south of Richardton. For a brief period they lived in Dickinson while John worked construction on the Ray Hotel and Dorothy continued working at Ward Johnson Ford as a secretary. Farming beckoned both of them to return and they farmed with Dorothy’s parents, Peter and Elizabeth (Roth) Kilzer on the family farm. After a few years they decided to strike out on their own by renting some land near Lefor until an opportunity opened for them to return to the family farm which they rented from Dorothy’s parents for a number of years. As their family grew, John and Dorothy purchased a farm/ranch from Harry Vandersloot north of Richardton. At both farms, fond memories were created. John was a compassionate and kind man; if a neighbor needed help, John helped. He loved children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and would tease any and all. John worked hard and took nothing for granted. His life was an example to his children that hard work achieved success. He was an avid reader, a steward of the land, a problem solver, and a devout, faithful husband. His values were instilled in his children along with lots of encouragement, support, and love. John is survived by his six children; Deborah Milne, Richey, MT, Gary Arnold, Sidney, MT, Thomas (Marie) Arnold, Dickinson, ND, Susan (Tim) Cook and Carol (Judd) Winter, Gladstone, ND, and Laura (Joe) Schumacher, Bismarck, ND; along with 20 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; brother, Walter; and sister, Helen Hassebrock. John was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his infant children, Joyce and Paul; his daughter-in-law, Sherry Arnold; and his son-in-law, Delford Milne; his parents, Peter and Magdalena Arnold; his stepmother, Margaret; his sister, Ann Haman; brothers, Ernest, Peter, Frank, Tony, Bill and Ray; as well as his half-sister, Arlene Koller. The family wishes to thank the staff of St. Luke’s for their kind and compassionate care across many years.


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Burial Date: November 7, 2016
Church St. Mary's Catholic Church

Funeral Mass: Monday: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Richardton